China’s Communist Party official meets Sartaj Aziz

ISLAMABAD: Member Political Bureau of Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhang Chunxian and Secretary (CPC) Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region met the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (today).

According to a press release by Foreign Office, the Adviser emphasized that friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy while coming the Chunxian.

Aziz added that the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries is an anchor for regional peace and stability.

“The two sides discussed a wide range of bilateral issues such as trade, investment, economic cooperation including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), people to people contacts, culture, education, science and technology etc. Enhancement of cooperation between Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and Pakistan including at the provincial level was also deliberated upon at length,” the release added.

Zhang thanked the Adviser for the warm hospitality and said that Pakistan and China are “iron brothers” joined by land, mountains and rivers. He reiterated China’s unflinching support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity.

The release also mentioned, “the Member Political Bureau of Central Committee of CPC and Xinjiang Party Secretary lauded Pakistan’s efforts in combating terrorism and recognized the sacrifices made by its people in this campaign. Reiterating commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that it was a flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s ‘One Belt-One Road’ initiative to which the Chinese leadership attaches great importance.”

Zhang emphasized that CPEC will be of mutual economic benefit to the people of China and Pakistan as well as the region.

Zhang emphasized the importance of connectivity and for realizing the full objective of the quadrilateral agreement on road transportation between China, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. He also highlighted the importance of setting up of Industrial and Science and Technology Parks in Pakistan which could attract large investment from enterprises in Xinjiang.

Zhang Chunxian accompanied by a large delegation of officials and businesspersons, is visiting Pakistan from 3-6 April 2016. During his ongoing visit, Mr. Zhang earlier visited Karachi and Gwadar port.